Musical instrument of the reed type



P. J. PACKMAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF THE, REED TYPE June 11, 1929.

Filed June 27, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l mfg F 4 r MW a! l l i i vInventor June 11, 1929. P. J. PACKMAN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF THE REED TYPE Filed June 27, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor a. i W.

.lttorney.

June 11, 1929. P. J. PACKMAN MUSIGKL INSTRUMENT OF THE REED TYPE Filed June 27, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 6.

Inventor Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PERCIVAL JAMES PACKMAN, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO WILLIAM MANNING, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT OF THE REED TYPE.

Application filed June 27, 1927, Serial No. 201,914, and in. Great Britain May 3, 1927.

This invention relates to musical instruments of the reed type, and more particularly to saxophones and has among its objects to provide for the operation of the octave key in such manner that risk of disturbing the em bouchure when playing the higher notes of the instrument is avoided, to provide simplified key mechanism for certain of the higher note holes and generally to provide for the notes in the higher range of the instrument to be prod. ced, with greater ease and greater flexibility than is usual.

The octave key in saxophones and the like of known construction is operated by the thumb of the left hand and by reason of the disposition of certain of the keys of notes in the higher range certain intervals involving the use of the octave key can only be played with difliculty and with the possibility of disturbing the' position of the reed and mouthpiece in the lips of the player. Thus, in an Eb alto saxophone this difficulty occurs in passing from G to D, Eb and F in the higher register.

According; to the invention the fingering of these diflicult intervals is greatly simplified by carrying the key mechanism of the octave key down the instrument to a position, where it may be operated by the thumb of the right hand, thus leaving free the left hand for the operation of the keys for the notes of the higher range with greater ease. A modified form of the key for operation by the thumb of the left hand may be provided to permit alternative operation of the octave hole pad from the left hand.

According to the invention, moreover. the keys of the note holes, which in an Eb alto saxophone correspond to the notes I) and Eb, may conveniently be so arranged that they oc 'cupy the position left free by the omission of the usual octave key for operation by the left hand so that they may thus be operated by the thumb of the left hand.

Further, according to the invention, the pad of the note hole which in an Eb alto saxophone eorrespcnds to the note E1; may be provided for alternative operation by the first finger of the left hand, or a duplicate hole with the pad so operated. may be provided in the rearrangement ot the adjacent note holes rendered possible by the omission of the usual octave key.

Similarly, the Ft key may be provided for operation by the first or second finger of the left hand.

It Will be understood that the key mechanism for operating the octave key from the right hand may be provided in various ways, thus, the rotary sleeve or rod usually adopted may be extended downwardly to a point adjacent the thumb bracket by which the instrument is steadied upon the thumb of the right hand and the key may be disposed adj acent the said bracket for direct depression by the thumb, or a sleeve or rod extending downwardly as described, but in an adjacent position, may effect the operation of the mechanism through suitable coupling arms, or again the movement of a key adjacent the thumb bracket may be conveyed to the opcrating rods at the upper end of the instrument by a system of levers and links. To facilitate the operation of the key by the thumb it is a dvantageous that a pivoted ring or cradle should be provided for the thumb in addition to or instead of the bracket before referred to.

Similarly, the construction of the key mechanism for the notes of the higher range, the keys of which it is desired to dispose in the position left vacant by the omission of the octave key operated by the left hand, may be varied. Thus, the keys for the adjacent notes, for example, D and Eb in the Eb alto saxophone may be disposed side by side for operation by rolling movements of the thumb of the left hand, or they may be disposed one in advance of the other so that they may be operated by a forward and backward movement of the said thumb. It is desirable to provide a thumb rest adjacent the said keys and such thumb rest may be of a formpartly surrounding or embracing the said keys.

The invention applicable either to exist ing instruments or in the n'ianufacturc of new instruments. In the latter case it will be understood that the positions of the note holes of the upper range may be re-distributed around the periphery of the instrument in order to facilitate the arrangement of the op erating keys and to secure the most simple form of mechanism for operation of the said keys by the thumb or first or second finger respectively of the left hand. Similarly, the mechanism for operating the octave key may also be aried in its position upon the instrument for the purpose of facilitating the construction and operation of the mechanism.

It will be understood that by the re-arrangement of the keys according tothe invention the difliculty in applying certain of the intervals in the higher range is overcome while the fingering generally is rendered simpler and made more flexible.

The invention is illustrated byway of example in the accompanying diagrammatic drawin gs.

Figure 1 represents a development of a portion of a saxophone to which one arrangement of mechanism in accordance with the invention has been applied.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional detail.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a modified form of the mechanism controlling the octave key provided according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a similar view showing a fur- .her modification of the mechanism cont-rolling the octave key provided according to the invention.

Figure 4 is a view illustrating the application of the invention to an existing instrument.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a construc- 1 tion of thumb bracket for the thumb of the right hand.

Figure is a view of a further form of the thumb bracket shown in Figure 5.

Referring to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, and more especially to Figure 1, the particular pads which are concerned in the application of the invention are the pads 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, which, in an Eb alto saxophone, for example, are respectively 1 the lower octave pad, 2 the pad for Fit, 3 the pad for Bit, 4 the pad for Eb and 5 the pad for Di; while the upper octave pad positioned upon the mouthpiece portion of the instrument is operated in the usual way by the ring 6. In existing instruments the ring 6 and the pad 1 both released for operation, by a key 7, shown. in dotted lines, provided .for the thumb of the left hand, which is normally seated upon the thumb rest 9, while the pads 2, 4 and 5 are respectively operated by keys 10, 11 and 12. also shown in dotted lines.

In the application of the invention in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, thekey 7 is removed and the arm 8 is'extended laterally by keys serving for the operation of the pads,

4 and 5, these keys, respectively 33 and 34,

and the corresponding pads 4 and 5 being carried by sleeves 35, 36 positioned upon the rod 16 which passes through the sleeve 14.

An auxiliary key 18 is advantageously provided in a position lateral to the thumb rest 9, being provided with an arm secured to the rod 16 so that by the use of the key 18 the arm 18 may be operated also by the thumb of the left hand in the usual manner.

In-view of the substitution of the keys 33, 34 for the usual keys 11, 12, the first and second lingers of the left hand may be employed for the operation of the keys corresponding to the pads 2and 3. For this purpose the keylO is removed and a key 37 provided in a suitable position in its stead, the pivotal point of the said key being carried relatively near to the pad 2. Similarly, a key 38 may be provided adjacent the key 37 or the operation of the pad 3, which for the pi pose is provided with a lug 39 with which the end of the lever of the key 38 engages, the said lever or the lever of the pad 2 and key 37 being formed suitably to secure clearance. he key 37 may be operated by the first or e second fingers of the left hand, while the ,1 key 38 is adapted for operation by the first finger of the said hand.

Figure 2 shows a modified arrangement of the octave key mechanism in which, upon the removal of the key 7, a rod 19 in extension of the original rod of the key 7 is carried longitudinally along the instrument into a position adjacent the pad 37 above the thumb bracket 31, the rod being suitably cranked where necessary, as at 20, to clear the pad 40. In this construction the keys 17 and 18 are carried on arms which extend around the thumb rests 9 and 31. In this arrangement the sleeves 35, 36 for the pads 4 and 5 are mounted together and separately from the rod 19. By reason of the additional space which is rendered available the key 33 may be adapted to serve for the operation of the jad 41 for note hole in duplication of that served by the pad 3, or the arrangement described with reference to Figure 1 may be adopted.

The arrangement of the mechanism according to th einvention as illustrated in Figure 3 is substantially the same as that represented in Figure 2, with the exception that in place of the rod 19 a lever operating mechanism is provided comprising a key 21 pivoted in position adjacent the thumb rest 32, the lever which is rocked about its pivotal point 23 by the key 21, a lever 24 rocked about the pivotal point 25 by the lever 22, and lever 26 pivoted at 27 and carrying the second key 28 which lever engages and depresses a lever 29 pivoted at 30, the lever 29 serving to depress the arm 8 of the octave mechanism.

Referring to Figure 4, which illustrates the application of the invention to existing instruments, the octave controlling mechanism applied in accordance with the invention is similar to that illustrated in Figure l, but in addition to the removal of the key 7 it may be ncc ssary to set the sleeve of the arm 8 at a slight angle to the axis of the instrument and to set the thumb rest 9 over laterally to a sligl'it extent. The pads 4, 5 may, however, be provided for alternate operation by the thumb of the left hand by means of keys 3?, 36 provided with sleeves 33, 42 and adapted to engage respectively the lugs or spurs 43, 4A; pri'ivided upon the pads 4 and 5. In this adaptation, the pads 12 and 3 maybe provided to be operated in the manner which is illustrated with respect either to Figures 1 or 2.

In viewol the use which is made of the ight thumb, in accordance with the invenion. it is desirable that facility should be given for the movement of the thumb relatively to the instrument. For this purpose the thumb bracket 31 requires to be capable of movement to a limited degree, either of rotation about a pivot normal to the axis of the instrun'ient, or of universal movement about an axis normal to the axis of the instrument.

Figure 5 shows, in perspective view, a con stritiction of thumb bracket giving a. movement of rotation about a pivot that is normal to the axis of the instrument. In this constr ction the bracket 31 is provided with an open hook-like fitting for the base of the thumb pivoted upon a support 45 fitted upon the wall of the instrument. the support 45 being provided with a surface upon which the bracket 31 may rotate.

In the construction represented in Figure 6. the bracket 31 provided with a stem having av ball end adapted to be received into a cup seating formed in a supporting block 46 fitted on the wall of the instrument, the ball lacing maintained in position by a cover plate 4-7, admntageously in two parts, retained in position by screws or other suitable means. The supporting block 46 is provided with an extension 48, the outer face of which serves as av bearing surface for the face of a spur 49 provided upon the bracket 31. which is adapted to limit the movement oi. the bracket in the upward direction under the weight of the instrument. The spur 4L9 may be provided with a bearing roller 50.

It will be understood that, whatever the form ol octave key controlling mechanism ad opted. any one or all of the several modifications in the key mechanism hereinbefore described may also be adopted, in any one of the several constructive forms.

It will further be understood that reference is mace to the El; alto saxophone merely by way of example and that the invention may be applied to all instruments of the type and to other reed instruments.

I claim:

1. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially Saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism and a key for controlling the said mechanism positioned adjacent to the position of, and for operation by, the thumb of the right hand of the player.

2. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, a rocking member extending longitudinally of the instru ment and operating the said mechanism, and a key controlling the said rocking member for operation by the thumb of the right hand ofthe player.

3. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, a thumb bracket for the thumb a key controlling the said means and positioned adjacent the said thumb bracket, for operation by the thumb of the right hand of the player.

4. Musical instruments of the reed type. and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, a rocking memher for operating the said mechanism, a second rocking member extending longitudinally of the instrument, coupling members carried by and connecting the said rocking members, and a. key controlling the second rockin g member for operation by the thumb of the right hand of the player.

Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially Saxophones. provided with octave key mechanism, a rocking member operating the said mechanism. a series of levers extending longitudinally of the instrument and serving when moved to rock the said rocking member, and a key controlling the movement of the series of levers for operation by the thumb of the right ha n d of the player.

6. Musical instruments of the reed type. and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, and keys for controlling the said means for operation respectively by the thumbs of the two hands of the player.

7. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said. octave key mechanism. thumb rests for therespective thumbs of the two hands of the player, and thumb keys positioned adjacent the said thumb rests and controlling the said means.

8. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the hands of the player, two thumb keys controlling the said means and respectively positioned adjaot the right hand, and

cent the thumb rests, two additionalthumb keys adjacent the thumb rest for thethumb of the left hand, and pads controlling note holes of the higher register, connected to, and controlled by, the said additional thumb keys.

9. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially Saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the hands of the player, two thumb keys respectively positioned adjacent the said thumb rests and controlling the said means, two finger keys disposed in correct relation to the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand for operation by the first and second fingers of the left hand, and pads controlling note holes of the higher register, connected to, and controlled by, the said finger keys.

10. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially Saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the hands of the player, two thumb keys positioned adj acent the said thumb rests and controlling the said means, twofinger keys in correct relation to the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand for operation by the first and second fingers of the left hand, a pad controlling one of the note holes of the higher register connected to and controlled by one ofthe said finger keys, and a pad controlling the note hole which is a duplicate of one of the note holes of the higher register, connected to, and controlled by, the second of the said finger keys. p

11. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb restsfor the respective thumbs of the hands of the player, two thumb keys'controlling the said means and respectively positioned adjacent the thumb rests, two additional,thumb keys adjacent the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand. pads controlling note holes of the higher register connected to, and controlled by, the said additional thumb keys, two finger keys disposed in correct relation to the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand, for operation by the first and second fingers of the left hand, and pads controlling note holes of the higher register connectedto and controlled by the said finger keys.

12. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism,-thumb rests for the respective thumbs of'the hands of the player, two thumb keys controlling the saidmeans and respectively positioned adj acent thethumb rests, two additional thumb keys adjacent the thumb rest for the thumb of thefleft hand, pads controlling note holes of the higher register connected to, and controlled by, the said additional thumb keys, two finger keys in correct relation to the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand for operation by the first and second fingers of the left hand, a pad controlling one of the note holes of the higher register connected to, and controlled by, one of the said finger keys, and a pad controlling a note hole which is a duplicate of one of the note holes of the high or register, connected to, and controlled by, the second of the said finger keys.

13. Musical instruments of'the reed and more especially Saxophones, provided with key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the hands of the player, two thumb keys controlling the said means and respectively positioned adjacent the thumb rests, two additional thumb keys adjacent the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand, two pads controlling note holes of the higher register, and coupling members between the said pads and said additional thumb keys for operation ofthe pads therefrom.

1a. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the hands of the player, two thumb keys controlling the said means and respectively positioned adjacent the thumb rests, two additional thumb keys adjacent the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand, two pads controlling note holes of the higher register, coupling members between the said pads and said additional thumb keys for operation of the pads therefrom, two finger keys disposed in correct relation to the thumbrest for the thumb of the left hand, for operation by the first and second fingers of the left hand, and pads controlling note holes of the higher register connected to and controlled by said finger keys.

15. Musical instruments of the reed type,

and -more especially saxophones, provided with key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the hands of the player, two thumb keys controlling the said means and respectively positioned adjacent the thumb rests, two additional thumb keys adjacent the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand, two pads controlling note holes of the higher register, coupling members between the said pads and said additional thumb keys for operation of the pads therefrom, two finger keys in correct relation to the thumb rest for the thumb of the left hand for operation by the first and second fingers of the left hand, a pad controlling one of the note holes of the higher register connected to, and controlled by, one of the said-finger keys, and a pad controlling a note hole which is a type, V

duplicate of one of the note holes of the higher register, connected to, and controlled by, the second of the said finger keys.

16. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the two hands of the player, thumb keys positioned adjacent the thumb rests and controlling the said means, and a bracket for the thumb of the right hand, the said bracket having a limited movement of rotation on an axis normal to the axis of the instrument.

17. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially Saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the two hands of the player, thumb keys positioned adjacent the thumb rests and controlling the said means, and a bracket for the thumb of the right hand, the said bracket being mounted for universal movement about an axis normal to the axis of the instrument.

18. Musical instruments of the reed type, and more especially saxophones, provided with octave key mechanism, means for operating the said octave key mechanism, thumb rests for the respective thumbs of the two hands of the player, thumb keys positioned adjacent the thumb rests and controlling the said means, and a bracket for the thumb of the right hand the said bracket being mounted "for universal movement about an axis normal to the axis of the instrument, and provided with means to limit the movement of the bracket under the Weight of the instrument.

PERCIVAL JAMES PACKMAN. 

